Alexandra Taylor: Writer

White House Down is an ebullient romp which takes great delight in destroying the iconic capitol building and its contents in an imaginative variety of ways. But those who write it off as just another action movie are missing a trick. Woven into this seemingly cliched and patriotic tale of protecting the president and saving the world, is another story - that of the shift in western politics from feudal system to cult of youth and celebrity.  The White House, symbol of American government, is a museum, a historic monument for tourists. The baddies are old, white men, who come from within its staff and exploit its rigid systems to achieve their own aims. Our hero too is trapped by his own past, his future constrained by established patterns of behaviour in both his career and his personal life.  Blasting through this tired, stuffy world comes a President with a new vision, going off-plan in his boy racer jet plane. He’s young, black, loves his branded trainers, a...

From the Jug of Ale to jugs of lassi, it’s hard to imagine a transformation more complete than the one that has taken place at the top of Park Road. The former bar and live music venue has been reborn as Tipu Sultan, home of Indian fine dining, and the differences are stark. Firstly, and perhaps most bravely, Tipu Sultan is dry - there is no alcohol served and you cannot bring your own. Clearly aimed at the Muslim community, this is not the place to go for a late night beer-and-balti. As a result, there is a more serene atmosphere than your average curry house, and a drinks menu which boasts an impressive range of juices, lassis and tasty mocktails. Secondly, the decor. The opulent splendour that greets you is a very far cry from the Jug’s dingy rooms and sticky floors. Stone lions guard the entrance to a waiting area lined with bejewelled sofas, beyond which is a vast dining area hung with glittering chandeliers, where smart, attentive waiters glide effortlessly amongst the or...

This event showcases three audience favourites from July's Birmingham European Festival, and it's easy to see why these particular pieces proved so popular. First, French trio Betti Combo demonstrate the astonishing range of feats that can be performed using just a pole and fifteen white plastic buckets. The performers are dexterous, precise and fluid in their movements, transitioning seamlessly from slow and cautious to frantic and energetic. What they do with the buckets is ingenious - from juggling to tennis, circus tricks to pole dancing. There are some genuinely breathtaking moments and a lot of laughs along the way. This is followed by Hungarian choreographer Ferenc Fehérʼs dark and intense  Tao Te . Using harsh spotlights to create ominous shadows, one minute the performers are fighting aggressively against each other, the next moving smoothly together like an industrial machine. The electronic soundscape, with its metallic droning, pulsating dance beats, melodic cho...

Universal Music comes to Birmingham Conservatoire in search of the next big thing Forget X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. Birmingham’s prestigious Conservatoire is where the hunt is on for the UK’s best performers. Birmingham singer-songwriter Laura Mvula recently shot to fame after completing a Music degree at the illustrious institution, prompting her record company, Universal, to contact tutors to seek out more potential stars.  Joe Cutler, Head of Composition, was only too happy to help them in their quest. “Song writing is a strong part of what the Conservatoire does, but a lot of our students are also involved in other things outside their formal training. This event is a great opportunity for them to show their classmates what they do, with the potential to catch the eye of a record company.” Undergraduate Thom Bevan-Jones, was asked by his tutors to oversee the event. Although he has experience of organising more traditional concerts, there’s been extra ...

Plenty of beauty, lots of ice - and definitely no sleeping! From the dark and stormy opening to the romantic finale, this is a production full of drama, grace and technical excellence. The show is an impressive blend of ice dance, ballet, circus skills and storytelling which is captivating throughout. The lighting, costumes and choreography all work well with Tchaikovsky’s classic music to create a range of moods from menacing and dramatic to joyful and dreamlike. The scene changes are slick and the performers are accomplished, carrying off a dizzying range of lifts and spins, throws and wire work on a relatively small stage. By far the most dramatic scenes are those set in the shadowy, cobwebbed cave of the black fairy. She gnashes her teeth clad in leather, fishnet and feathers, while the crowlike members of her evil gang play, quite literally, with fire. There is no narration and the story is conveyed entirely through the music and choreography. If it’s been a whil...

Photographs are how we remember important events, long after the memories fade. If you’re having trouble choosing someone to capture your big day, Charles Davis from Professional Photography has five top tips. 1. Get the picture. Take time looking through photographers’ portfolios and think about what you want from your own pictures. If you’re after informal, reportage-style snaps, then choose a photographer whose work shows their ability to capture those spontaneous, one-off moments.  2. Know what you want.  The more a photographer understands what you like, the more chance they have of meeting, and exceeding, your expectations. What balance of formal and informal pictures do you want? Will one photographer be enough? What about a temporary studio for more formal shots? Which part of the event is most important? Be as specific as possible. 3. Time is of the essence. Ask the photographer about their planning and preparation. A good photogra...

“I’m doing nothing wrong, I’m not harming anyone and I wish to be judged on the kind of person I am, not the clothes I wear.” Starting a new life at the age of seventy six would be a daunting step for anyone, but particularly when you’ve just come out to your family and friends as a cross dresser. Dee can’t thank Moseley enough for the welcome he’s received since moving here just over a year ago. It’s not every community that would be as accepting. Dee contacted Moseley B13 after reading our story about Daniela, the Romanian Big Issue seller . "The positive way it was presented was important in helping the community accept and value her," he explained, “I saw something of a parallel with my own position as an outsider in society.” “Coming to a place like Mosley, I only expected to be tolerated, maybe even liked by a couple of people. I thought I’d be spending most of my time within the transgender community, but I haven’t needed to. People here haven’t just acce...

Fed up with cavernous multiplexes showing big budget blockbusters? Fancy a timeless classic or a thought-provoking independent film in a traditional setting? Then Kings Heath Community Cinema is for you! In 2012, Kings Heath Village Square (KHVS) consulted with people in the area and discovered a demand for a local film club. A 2.5m screen was set up in All Saints church and the first film shown, just before Christmas 2012, was festive favourite ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’. Since then, there’s been a different feature every month, drawing between 50 and 100 people each time, and audiences are continuing to grow. “Some people were wary at first,” explains Tessa Burwood, who was employed by KHVS to get the cinema project off the ground. “They thought that, because it was in a church, it was in some way connected to religion, but it really isn’t. I love that we’ve shown irreverent films like ‘Some Like It Hot’ in this big, old fashioned space. We always have an interval with a l...